We are a forgetful people in a land of distractions. Our minds are easily captivated by trivial and temporary inducements. New things quickly become old. In our mind’s eye even glory tends to fade and warnings tend to wane. It is no wonder that we who are invisibly united to Christ and visibly in and not of this world live in constant need of renewal. And what is true for the Christian is true for the church. This is a series that seeks to renew the mind of the church. Not so much by reviewing what she is called to do as much as what she is called. As with the Christian so with church, her God-given identity defines her. We who are the church are a people for God and none other.
Before we return to the book of Romans, we will be looking at the what scripture says about the Church, in its nature, how she expresses herself in song, and how the church cares and equips for its members.
The messages from this series can be found here:
Manny Pereira - April 23, 2023
The Holy and Helpless Law
Strikingly, sin and the Law have been closely linked. The Law is said to bring the knowledge of sin (3:20), increase sin (5:20), and arouse sinful passions (7:5). Paul now clarifies. He extols the Law as holy and yet shows that it is at the same time helpless to enable what it commands. While the fault lies with the sinner, not the Law, the fact remains that the Law is helpless to justify or sanctify. Sanctification, or growing in the life and likeness of Christ, is Paul’s primary concern in this section of his letter. And in this we see again the grand glory of Christ for righteousness, positionally and practically. Only union with Christ secures both justification and sanctification.
Scripture References: Romans 7:7-12
